Trunk Drainage in 107?

[Kimolaoha]

Hi all -
Can anyone please describe to me where to find the drainage holes for the trunk area of my '83 380SL? I've had serious condensation problems in the trunk (enough to make the carpeting wet) for some time, which have now progressed to actual standing water in the spare tire well. The location of the drainage tubes/holes, which I'd like to clear, is not apparent to me.
Thanks!!

[dugald]

I don't know where the drains are, but I think you have more than a condensation problem.
Look for leaks in the trunk or taillight seals.

[rocky raccoon]

DUGALD is right. You have a serious water incursion problem.

That said, there is rubber plug that can be removed to drain water. You need to remove the tire and you will find it. It is about 1 1/4" in diameter.

[jplinville]

I'd also look at the trunk seals, looking for ripped or missing seals.

[Werner W]

There are two plugged drain holes at the low points of the spare tire well. See the pic, I have circled them in red.

[Kimolaoha]

Thanks for all of the replies. I was able to drain the spare tire well by removing one of the rubber plugs, but see no obvious problems with the seals. How is the system designed to deal with rain water? Does it simply run down the seam channels or is there some internal drainage/routing design?
Thanks

[Lenny]

There is also a drain plug (2) under the battery. You ned to removet bat., bat box and ten you can get at them.

[Kimolaoha]

Thanks Lenny -
I assume these 2 plugs under the battery are only removed in order to drain standing water, and are not integral to the normal drainage of rainwater, etc. (i.e., the normal drainage that keeps you have having standing water in the first place), right?

I'm getting significant condensation on the underside of the trunk lid even without rain, i.e. morning dew, etc. Something is not right and I can't find any obvious culprits.

[rocky raccoon]

Your condensation may be a result of the standing water in your trunk. Your profile doesn't show your location but I'll bet it is Hawaii. As I recall, there are only two seasons, the wet season and the rainy season. That can't help your problem.

I would drain the trunk, take everything out of it, wipe up any remaining moisture then put a dry heat source such as a 150 watt light bulb in the trunk overnight to fully dry it.

If you have a trunk gasket problem, replace it. I'll bet you won't have any more problems.

[Kimolaoha]

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

Your condensation may be a result of the standing water in your trunk. Your profile doesn't show your location but I'll bet it is Hawaii. As I recall, there are only two seasons, the wet season and the rainy season. That can't help your problem.

I would drain the trunk, take everything out of it, wipe up any remaining moisture then put a dry heat source such as a 150 watt light bulb in the trunk overnight to fully dry it.

If you have a trunk gasket problem, replace it. I'll bet you won't have any more problems.

Thanks. Not Hawaii -- but close -- Maryland

I'll dig around a bit more, but this may now have to wait until spring.

If not the trunk seal, then (and please correct me if I've missed something) it appears that the only other seals are those around the light housings.

[nobby]

Originally Posted by Kimolaoha

Thanks. Not Hawaii -- but close -- Maryland

I'll dig around a bit more, but this may now have to wait until spring.

If not the trunk seal, then (and please correct me if I've missed something) it appears that the only other seals are those around the light housings.

There are no drainage channels or open drain spouts. Your trunk enclosure is not supposed to leak. Period.
That being said...........start at the top and work your way down.
Trunk seal might look good but might have flat spots. Also, under the trunk lid seal at the corners near the tail lights..peel up the seal. I have seen more than one SL with rust in those spots.......and even holes.
Tailight seals are usually the culprit. Again......might look good but may be tired.
Where your bumper bolts to the chassis should have gaskets.
The trunk vents on the lower quarter panels that allow air to escape when closing the trunk should also be looked at. They are like a one way check valve. Is your antenna in the trunk? That would be another place to look.

[Kimolaoha]

Originally Posted by nobby

There are no drainage channels or open drain spouts. Your trunk enclosure is not supposed to leak. Period.
That being said...........start at the top and work your way down.
Trunk seal might look good but might have flat spots. Also, under the trunk lid seal at the corners near the tail lights..peel up the seal. I have seen more than one SL with rust in those spots.......and even holes.
Tailight seals are usually the culprit. Again......might look good but may be tired.
Where your bumper bolts to the chassis should have gaskets.
The trunk vents on the lower quarter panels that allow air to escape when closing the trunk should also be looked at. They are like a one way check valve. Is your antenna in the trunk? That would be another place to look.

Thanks for these tips. I'll dig into it again when things warm up a bit.

[ddayme]

I have noticed the same on my '87 560sl, it just suddenly was damp, and there was some water beneath the spare. It was like one day fine, the next moisture!! confusing.

[B.Bear]

Had a similar problem with my 380 when I first got it, replaced the seal on the antenna and it has been dry since then. One of the cheap and easy fixes.

[Kimolaoha]

It would be against the laws of nature for something to be that easily fixed for me . . . but I'll check it out anyway --- once things warm up about 50 more degrees here in the DC suburbs
Thanks